Delayed with... Aerae
The first day of astronomical fall has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere this week, though the world around us here in New York has already provided those all too obvious clues: a crispness in the evening air, the leaves of maple trees among the first to reveal their vivid tones of red & orange peppered amongst trees with a lingering green. For those with children it’s back to school & all of the routines new & old that come with it. Change is in the air.
On the subject of change, this week’s “Delayed with” appearance features some new sonic territories from France-based Aerae, an artist long overdue for an invite to the series, & one we’ve cherished over the years. I still have yet to catch a set from her in person but was there in spirit at Mostra earlier this year as the Delayed crew were hypnotized by her b2b with Presha.
Aerae has carved out her very own space for herself, blurring the lines between drum & bass, techno & downtempo. Her work reflects a thoughtful intention & focused drive, as her name continues to emerge on flyers & lineups of some of our favorite venues, festivals & gatherings. After recent appearances at Tresor & Ouroboros earlier this month, she heads east for her first Asia tour in early October for gigs in Korea & Japan.
Her set encapsulates a broader range of sounds than what we’ve previously heard as she takes a not so linear approach, showcasing various corners of her musical tastes. It’s a glimpse into how I’d imagine a long form set to sound like from her, as she gradually builds an empty room piece by piece into a peak time dancefloor over the course of an evening. The essence of Aerae’s sound is very much present here with sprinklings of ear candy, the brain & body massaging effects of upper bass frequencies & tracks that induce a slow, involuntary rhythmic sway. As the pressure builds, downtempo sounds gradually lay the foundation for a familiar drum & bass that we know Aerae for in the second half & into some more percussive territories.